Orifice Flow Meter with Integrated Sealing and Pressure Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meter devices are complex, bulky, and expensive, lacking a simple and efficient solution for accurately measuring gas and fluid flow, with prior art devices requiring numerous interconnecting components and complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A simplified flow meter with improved accuracy, comprising a meter body, an orifice disk with integrated sealing means, and a cover, which secures into a fluid stream without requiring nuts, bolts, or other fasteners, allowing for easy installation and measurement of fluid flow in pipes using fewer parts and common materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex orifice assemblies with numerous interconnecting components are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the orifice body, sealing components, and pressure sensing openings into a single unified structure. The orifice body includes integrated sealing surfaces and pressure ports that eliminate the need for separate sealing elements and interconnecting components found in prior art assemblies, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement reliability through the unified design
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the differential pressure restriction, provides sealing surfaces for pipeline integration, and incorporates pressure sensing ports for flow measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable measurement
2Measurement precision
If orifice assemblies with multiple interconnecting components are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but ease of manufacture deteriorates and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing steps into a single integrated orifice body that can be manufactured as one piece using common materials and standard machining operations. The integrated design with built-in sealing surfaces and pressure ports eliminates the need for assembling multiple components, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the precision required for accurate flow measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that the orifice body be made from common materials such as stainless steel, brass, or aluminum alloy, which can be manufactured using standard industrial processes. By selecting materials and design parameters that align with conventional manufacturing capabilities, the patent maintains measurement accuracy while significantly improving ease of manufacture and reducing cost
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional orifice valves with complex configurations are used, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow control orifice and pipeline sealing functions into a single body that can be directly installed in the pipeline. The integrated design with built-in sealing surfaces eliminates the need for separate flange connections and multiple components, making installation straightforward while maintaining precise flow control through the engineered orifice geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides for easy replacement of the orifice body by designing it as a removable component that can be accessed and replaced without breaching the pipeline or separating the orifice body from the pipeline system. This segmentation approach maintains flow control precision while significantly improving installation ease and maintenance accessibility
4Reliability
If sealed fluid connections with numerous components are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sealing surfaces directly into the orifice body structure, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and gaskets. The unified design with built-in sealing surfaces ensures reliable fluid-tight connections while reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall connection system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a more efficient, versatile, and cost-effective method for measuring fluid flow, scalable to various sizes, with integrated sealing components and a single body construction that does not disrupt piping systems, enabling accurate flow measurement without breaching the piping system or separating the orifice body.
Implementation Method 1
a simplified flow meter with improved accuracy, comprising a meter body, an orifice disk with integrated sealing means, and a cover, which secures into a fluid stream... measuring fluid flow... accurate flow measurement
Implementation Method 2
The differential pressure is sensed via openings incorporated into the body of the device, upstream and downstream of the orifice body
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter device that improves a way to obtain an accurate differential pressure across an orifice body situated in line with the flow of gas and liquids. The orifice body is held in place by sealing components integrated into the orifice body. The differential pressure is sensed via openings incorporated into the body of the device, upstream and downstream of the orifice body. The device with its improved accuracy may be used for small and large applications measuring flow. The device is comprised of a meter body; an orifice puck with characteristics; a sealing method; a cover plate, and a way to secure the device into a fluid stream where the device may be used to easily and accurately measure fluid flow in a pipe.